September 6, 2016

TV:

Already almost one week into the final month of the season and we have another day of great baseball to follow up a fantastic labour day. Here's my lineup for today.

USA TODAY Sports

Pitcher #1: Aaron Sanchez, TOR

Salary: $9,600

Analysis: With Cleveland’s Corey Kluber being the only option over $10k on Tuesday, you would think it would be easy to find good value on the mound. However there wasn’t much that I liked so I went where I was most comfortable, picking Aaron Sanchez. Sanchez has been money for me this season, putting up a 13-2 record with a 2.88 ERA. There isn’t anything that stands out when Sanchez faces the Yankees, who Toronto happens to face on Tuesday as part of their crucial division series, as Sanchez is 2-2 in 12 games (2 starts) with a 1.96 ERA. However, Sanchez has been spectacular on the road this season, going 8-1 in 14 starts with a 2.53 ERA and against these same Yankees on June 1st, Sanchez threw 6.2 shutout innings with 6 strikeouts, so I’m confident the Jays can use Sanchez to take a game in the Bronx before the series finale on Wednesday.

Pitcher #2: Jason Hammel, CHIC

Salary: $7,500

Analysis: This is a steal as far as I’m concerned taking Hammel. Sure, he isn’t perennial Cy Young candidate Jake Arrieta, but he is still a good pitcher on the best team in baseball, facing off against one of the worst teams in Milwaukee who possess the highest strikeout rate in the majors. Not to mention that The Brewers also allow the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing pitchers this season. Hammel is also allowing a mere .224 batting average against him, so if he can do more of the same on Tuesday, it could be a long night for the Brew Crew.

Catcher: Jonathan Lucroy, TEX

Salary: $3,300

Analysis: My original pick from a matchup standpoint was going to be the Cubs’ Miguel Montero, but I’m not sure he would even get the start, so I went for the more reliable value pick in Lucroy. Lucroy may end up being a better pick overall than Montero. Lucroy has a better batting average than Montero by almost 100 percentage points, meaning we are getting a near .300 hitter for the price of a .200 hitter where both catchers are on a red hot offense. Texas is trying to put a nail in the Mariners coffin and if Lucroy can put a couple hits on the board, he may help us put a nail in other players lineups on Tuesday.

1st Base: Anthony Rizzo, CHIC

Salary: $5,400

Analysis: I’m all about spending whatever I have to to get Rizzo on Tuesday against the Brewers and starter Wily Peralta. Rizzo has pretty much had Peralta’s number, putting up 14 hits in 28 career at-bats against Peralta, with 8 extra base hits including 5 home runs and 11 RBI with a .576 OPS and an insane 1.719 OPS. If you don’t have the cap to grab Rizzo, there are other options on the board but my suggestion would be to make Rizzo your first pick and build your lineup around him because I feel he is a must-start on Tuesday.

2nd Base: Brian Dozier, MIN

Salary: $5,300

Analysis: Minnesota has been god-awful for most of this season, however one that is making the best of a bad situation is Brian Dozier. Dozier belted his 35th homer of the season in Sunday’s extra innings loss to the White Sox, and he has 21 home runs since the all-star break to lead the majors, and against the Royals and starter Dillon Gee, Dozier may very well make it 36 and 22 respectively. In his career against Gee, Dozier is 5-for-14 with 4 extra base hits including 3 solo home runs to go along with his .400 OBP. By no means do I think the Twins win this because the Royals have been on a tear as they push for a playoff spot. But the least the Twins can do is offer some resistance, and I think Dozier helps Minnesota do just that on Tuesday.

3rd Base: Kyle Seager, SEA

Salary: $4,300

Analysis: Like I mentioned earlier with Jonathan Lucroy, the Rangers are looking to bury the Mariners once bright playoff hopes with a couple wins in this series. Now we go to the other side for our pick at 3rd, Kyle Seager. Seager has been an extremely underrated part of the Mariners success this season, and against Texas starter Martin Perez, there is some hope for the Seattle faithful that the Mariners can still pull out a win on Tuesday. Seager is a lifetime 10-for-27 against Perez with 3 homers and 5 RBI to his credit. I think this is going to be a hotly contested series between these two teams and it will bring out the best in both sides, hopefully including Seager on Tuesday.

Shortstop: Brad Miller, TB

Salary: $4,500

Analysis: The Rays have done a pretty good job playing spoiler as they almost swept the division-leading Blue Jays over the weekend, tightening up the race at the top of the AL East, and I’m thinking we see more of the same on Tuesday. Against Baltimore starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo, Miller is a career 3-for-10 with 2 extra base hits and only 1 strikeout against Gallardo. I’ve made it pretty well-known my disdain for Gallardo, as he clearly hasn’t been what the Orioles thought they were getting when they signed him in the offseason. Look for another letdown spot for Baltimore here with Gallardo on the mound.

Outfielder #1: Gerardo Parra, COL

Salary: $3,500

Analysis: The Rockies also are relishing their role as spoiler as they have the potential to put up double digits on any given night with the pop they have in their bats and I’m anticipating more fireworks on Tuesday. The Rockies take on the Giants and starter Jeff Samardzija, who Parra has had success against, going 8-for-21 with 2 extra base hits including a home run and 3 RBI. If you’ve read my stuff before you know how much I love fading Samardzija because he’s one of my least favorite pitchers on the Giants staff due to his inconsistency. Take Parra in your outfield Tuesday and he could reward you in a big way if the Rockies get to Samardzija early.

Outfielder #2: Kevin Kiermaier, TB

Salary: $3,900

Analysis: Kiermaier was my last pick for today’s lineup, but he fit my price point and I’ve already mentioned how I enjoy picking against Baltimore starter Yovani Gallardo so it just seemed like a perfect fit. Plus Kiermaier is going to be riding a 9-game hitting streak heading into action on Tuesday, so take Kiermaier as the Rays add to the Orioles frustration with Gallardo on the mound.

Outfielder #3: Nick Markakis, ATL

Salary: $2,700

Analysis: Value pick time! Gio Gonzalez was a stud when we picked him last week and Gonzalez could very well have another solid outing against Atlanta on Tuesday, however I’m thinking Markakis has the potential to do some damage. I mean Gonzalez after all is a mediocre 4-8 with a 4.24 ERA in 15 career starts against the Braves and Markakis is 7-for-30 with 2 doubles and 5 RBI in his career against Gonzalez. This is a lottery ticket if I’ve ever bought one, but it could end up paying major dividends if it comes through.

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